Archery is just one of the many activities provided at Camp Aquatics. Shown here from left to right is Counselor Magen Sharp, 20, campers Kaiden Barrett, 11, Justin Barthel, 14, Tyler Kersenbrock, 11, and counselor Jen Agudelo, 17. These campers and counselors enjoyed time well spent practicing archery and getting a bullseye. || PHOTO BY: FALLON MAYER

Camp Chowenwaw offers many programs and activities for kids to enjoy. Shown here is Mackenzie Griffis, 8 and Dakota Hill, 9 playing mandala; Mackenzie captures her marbles while counting her total score.

Remember the summers of your youth, filled with theme weeks, cool field trips, sunny days spent swimming in the lake or getting messy with arts and crafts on the rainy days?

It’s that time again, and summer camps are filled with fun and refreshing ways to spend time.

Whether kids are looking to explore the outdoors, interact with other campers or get hands-on experience with arts, crafts and humanities, there is a place for every Clay child with any interest.

Here’s a camp rundown:

Camp Aquatics at Camp Echockotee

If your child enjoys water sports, making new friends and climbing to new heights, Camp Aquatics at Camp Echockotee might be the best fit.

A premier day-camping opportunity for boys and girls ages 6-14, Camp Echockotee is owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America’s North Florida Council. The property is located at the St. Johns River base at Echockotee alongside Doctors Inlet.

The day camp runs for eight weeks, ending Aug. 8. The fee for the first week is $230 and $15 each additional week.

Merit badges can also be earned at camp for registered Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.

Camp hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities include rock climbing, archery, canoeing and sailing, arts and crafts and challenge courses. Youngsters can even experience the thrill of repelling 50 feet or getting up on a wakeboard behind one of the Tigè Ski boats.

According to camp director and Red Cross lifeguard instructor David Benson, the philosophy for Camp Aquatics is to provide campers with opportunities for emotional and physical growth, encourage their natural abilities and instill the benefits of group interaction.

“Our ultimate goal is to provide an enjoyable, exciting summer experience that motivates our campers to approach the future with courage, confidence and a feeling of self-worth,” Benson said.

Accredited annually by the Boy Scouts of America National Camping Association program, Camp Aquatics takes precautions to making sure each child is safe on land and in the water.

Counselors working the climbing wall are qualified and trained by expert climbers. They are also ranger master certified by USA Archery.

“Being a counselor is really a great experience,” said camp counselor Shaeyah Graves, 21. “I enjoy watching the kids have fun and they keep me active and on my feet.”

Hosted by First Baptist Church of Orange Park, REAL Kidz Camp provides a spiritual outdoor experience for kids to discover all the “hats” that God has planned, and how to wear each one well.

The camp begins on Monday, July 21, and ends on Friday, July 25. The five-day stay is for boys and girls ages 7–11.

Located at Camp Sonlight in Summerfield, near Ocala, the cost for the week long stay is $175 per child. Pastor Skipper Rodgers will be the children’s pastor for the week.

Kids will room in bunkhouses and enjoy activities such as swimming, crafts, night games, movies and small group bible studies. They will also have the chance to grasp the message of God in daily worship and prayers with the REAL Kidz Band.

Ongoing through Aug. 8, the Green Cove Springs Summer Camp provides youngsters an opportunity to learn about safety, respect, leadership and teamwork. Held at the Thomas Hogans Memorial Gym, 415 Lemon St., the camp is operated by Bright Minds Youth Development and is a collaborative effort between the City of Green Cove Springs, the School Board of Clay County, and the Augusta Savage Arts and Community Center.

Boys and girls ages 5-16 can enjoy many activities such as sports, arts and crafts, field trips and educational lessons. Kids will have the opportunity to meet with special guest speakers like “Chef to the Stars” participant Chef Harvey, or members of the Green Cove Springs Police Department.

The cost per week is $45 per child and $35 per week for each additional child. Registration fees are not included. Hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

First Coast YMCA is hosting more than a few camps for kids in Clay County this summer, with locations in Orange Park, Green Cove Springs and Keystone Heights.

At Camp Chowenwaw in Green Cove Springs, kids should enjoy a variety of activities. Camp director Judy Rech has been working for the YMCA for 15 years. She enjoys spending time with the kids and watching them achieve their goals for each week.

“We have a handful of programs for the kids that help them with their developmental skills,” she said. “A program called ‘Swag’ gives kids the opportunity to earn bracelets that represent a variety of core values. If they demonstrate a core value in some way while at camp, they earn the [corresponding] bracelet. Some of the core values so far are citizenship and caring.”

Rech added that a swimming program uses the colors red, yellow and green to designate each camper’s strength in swimming. The goal is for every camper to be a green swimmer by the end of the summer.

In addition, participants in the camp reading program spend 30 minutes reading every day to strengthen kids’ reading skills and avoid summer reading loss.

Teen camp, for boys and girls ages 11-15, is something counselor Trenton Davis enjoys being a part of. Davis has been a camp counselor for the YMCA for four years and a teen counselor for three years.

“For a lot of them, it’s the only time they spend meeting teens their age with a different cultural background,” he said. “They enjoy the summer outside, spending time with nature and not electronics or the television. This camp helps teens improve their reading skills and do activities to challenge themselves.”